WeeklySA_AdminTAUT: A family fibre is innately tied by cordial tension until old sibling rivalries come to the fore, spoiling a merry Christmas…
By Funeka Bambalele
It is a well-known fact that family gatherings are always punctuated by drama. Whether it be a family reunion, wedding, traditional ceremony or holiday gathering, tempers always fly. Each one comes with its own unique history, trait and attitude. With everyone trying to create a perfect family dynamic, there is always someone in the group who just knows how to push the button to the limit, sullying the mood of a well-knit clan into battle mode.
You are reminded of this dynamic as you watch a new comedy theatre show called A Marry Little Christmas. It is totally a new script and breaks the monotony of a typical Christmas Production. It is not based on some fairytale story of the century. A Marry Little Christmas is one of those simple and straightforward stories that anyone who has family can relate to.
The show opened at the Market Theatre in Newtown on Sunday. Its opening attracted hundreds of theatre goers who looked thirsty for real entertainment. The John Kani Theatre which is the biggest space at Market Theatre was parked to its capacity. TV stars like Sello Maake KaNcube, Nthati Moshesh, Nambitha Mpumlwana and Momo Matsunyane were in the house.
Market Theatre artistic director, Greg Homann who wrote the play, outdone himself presenting an inclusive and balanced story that appeals to everyone. In trying to present a South African inspired story, Homann even used famous local hits like Sister Bettina.
In terms of subject matter, Homann did not hold back. He presented a funny and yet powerful story that touches on a number of issues which are a challenge for a modern society.
The story highlights your normal family issues with parents poking their noses into children’s relationship affairs to stories of cheating partners. Homann also looks at the LGBTIQ+ community challenges and the role of marriage in the modern-day society where polyandry and open relationships exist.
This hilarious new South African play is set in a high-class golf estate environment in Johannesburg. It’s a story about family, love and misunderstandings.
A Marry Little Christmas is told through Arnold Hartmann (played by Antony Coleman), a 45-year-old male who wants to propose to his girlfriend, Natalie Cloete. His plan is to pop the question early in the morning before the family arrives. But he overslept and nerves got the better of him until everyone arrived for Christmas lunch. When he finally asks Natalie to marry him, he gets the shock of his life as she turns down the engagement.
The story is brought to life by exceptionally talented actors like Kim Cloete, James Borthwick, Louise Saint-Claire, Ilse Klink, Roberto Pombo, Zolani Shangase and Trevor Lynch, who keep the audience entertained for 2 hours.
From the very start when the lights were dimmed, the audience knew that they were in for something completely different. The audience flung into an afternoon of crazy and fun that continued. The ensemble was fabulous. At the end of the performance, the cast got a long standing ovation and thunderous applause.
A Marry Little Christmas is on at Market Theatre until December 24.
PASSION KEEPS GOSPEL STAR CLOSE TO HER CALLING
MODEST: Thanks her Maker for success and for rescuing her from a mortifying bed-ridden spell with Covid…
By Siyabonga Kamnqa
THROUGH their music, gospel artists have the ability to bring people closer to God and heal broken souls. And, over the years award-winning gospel artist, Qhamisa Mpayipheli, has been doing just that with her spiritually-uplifting gospel tunes.
Voted the best female artist at the Independent National Gospel Music Awards (Ingoma) in 2021, Qhamisa has been unstoppable, riding the crest of a wave in the industry. Yet, speaking to Weekly SA Mirror this week as she celebrated her birthday, the Ndamemeza kuThixo hitmaker was surprisingly selfless and modest about all her achievements, instead giving all the credit to the Almighty.
“It is not my own doing. God gave me this talent in order to heal people with my music. As gospel artists, we are God’s messengers as. So every good thing that happens in my life is because of His grace,” she said.
The soft-spoken Qhamisa said, when she puts her mind to achieving something, she never rests until she attains that goal. It is perhaps this energy and dedication that has seen her rising to new vistas in the music industry. Besides being a gospel star, Qhamisa is also a prophetess, having been ordained two years ago. She said everyone who knows her would attest to her always having been aware of her gift, but avoiding it for a long time, despite those close to her benefitting from it. She said it is a gift she had been sceptical to take on officially because of the many things that have been said about some so-called prophets in Mzansi.
“But three years ago I became convinced in my spirit that it was the time to wear my garment and be that prophetic gospel singing artist that I was called to be to the glory of the Lord,” Qhamisa said.
Her songs may touch and heal many souls, but there was a time when Qhamisa needed some healing herself. The star opened up about the terrifying experience of nearly losing her voice and her life during the Covid-19 pandemic, which hit the world in 2020. She said it was through the grace of God that she lived to tell her tale, and is still grateful for the gift of life. Relating her ordeal, Qhamisa said one moment she was her energetic self and worshipping in church and the next she was lying in a hospital bed fighting for her life.
“I could have been added to the statistics. It was the most traumatic period in my life. But I am grateful to the Almighty for saving my life.” Bad experiences aside, Qhamisa is happy that the industry has fully recovered from the COVID-19 pandemic.
All she wants to focus on now, she said, is creating more music and bagging more awards. She said winning awards is a major achievement for any artist as it is an assurance that all the long hours spent in the studio working hard, are bearing fruits.
“And I give God all the glory for everything and such achievements mean that the hard work I have been doing in the industry is getting recognition and that people believe in my brand,” she said.
The ever-so-busy Qhamisa is also on our screens presenting a gospel show called Melodi on Dumisa TV and she recently launched her perfume and clothing range and is also doing TV commercials.
